Cons of Living in Madison WI [No Fluff]

[@omarqasirov8754]

I love Madison - including the weather. But I've never felt so socially isolated and lonely as I've felt here. That and I've had terrible luck living below people in apartments here . Every. Single. Apartment. Overhearing couples getting it on, people using treadmills above me, and now a couple constantly fighting/shouting at each other and slamming things at 12 AM until 3 AM sometimes.

[@joseaguirre744]

it’s probably due to the high property taxes

[@zyembla]

Some people see the isthmus as a disadvantage, I see it like a quirk and love it. Not just another boring city

[@livinginmadisonwi]

I agree, the pros outweigh the cons of the isthmus I think, but some find it challenging so that's why it's on the list.

[@peteroberts6771]

And the incarceration rate for black and Latino men is higher in Wisconsin than Mississippi. Now that's saying something! Lbvs

[@renitawilliams]

Wow! Really? Didn't know that?

[@orlandoarreola2977]

So either blacks and Latinos are committing more crime and deserve jail time, or the Madison pd is racist and the citizens probably have something to do with it on a way

[@sinsinsinat5377]

From an outsider perspective Somehow liberal cities turn in to crime zones and higher homelessness and higher housing costs. Meanwhile, liberals preach about the exact opposite things, equality, racism, and inclusiveness.

[@SamsungS23Ultr]

@@renitawilliams 11% of the population committing 50% of the violent crime. 💀

[@thomashilston8623]

The trick here is to find a complex in 15yo category as like mine they were solidly built, almost soundproof, and have all the amenities like heated underground parking & in unit w/d. The newer ones like Watts Hill are built like a house of cards (you can hear your neighbor snoring!). I highly recommend Cortland Pond or Commons or Junction Ridge cause mgmt & maint are great, and they are always making sure rules like n/s & loud music after 11p are enforced. My top floor big studio w/vaulted ceilings is only 880/mo.....best deal on far west side by far!

[@rayniya012]

Thanks so much this is incredibly helpful

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Great insight on the rental market Thomas, thanks for piping in!

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Glad to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@blakeearth]

Thanks a lot for this! I've been looking for a place on the West side. Moving up from FL in June!

[@jeffferguson69]

That’s funny I was just thinking about checking these out. Now I won’t lol

[@rayniya012]

Hey. I'm moving to Maddison/ Middleton in a few months. Do you have any recommendations for apartments in those cities? I'm from the south moving for work. Thanks for the video!

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Hello! There are lots of good options and they are building new ones all the time. Do you know where you want to be close to?

[@rayniya012]

@@livinginmadisonwi Middleton would be convenient because its close to work. Thanks for the reply.

[@thomashilston8623]

Whoops, check my message above & good luck with your search!

[@JennyinIllinois]

I live in Middleton, depends on your budget though. My apartment is not cheap. Middleton is expensive just a fyi.

[@JennyinIllinois]

#5 for sure!! It's very in your face.

[@johnspencer2717]

Biggest cons are migration Madison provides government services which cities like Chicago Minnesota and many other large surrounding cities no longer provide Madison is quickly turning into a major city and is in the infancy of large city problems, if your moving here buy a house in a low income area instead of renting,

[@oneandonly1990]

I've heard people move to Madison just for the benefits smh

[@jonathanmosher72]

Actually, the benefits are about the same as Illinois. That's a political propaganda. Killing two birds with one stone benies and FIBS.

[@Gregatseasonalsteins]

You are correct. Been going on for awhile and we have watched our beautiful town go to sh#$ fast. A certain culture of freeloaders criminals are like locusts...I can't believe educated people let this happen.

[@racontoor]

At least this thread admits the truth that Madison has long favored moneyed interests and has been an island of privilege and wealth. Welcome to America, racists.

[@SamsungS23Ultr]

@@racontoor bro if you think madison is racist, you haven't seen the rest of Wisconsin

[@kaceanderson5496]

I’m trying to find a studio in Madison, what are decent areas to look at?

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Hello Kace, is there a workplace you want to be near? Smaller studios are probably more popular downtown.

[@kaceanderson5496]

@@livinginmadisonwi downtown is fine I actually saw a few in that area in my price range, I have my job at the west towne mall, but from the looks of it they are all 900+

[@agirard8997]

Darbo area

[@cosmosbeing2103]

Most of Madison is nice.

[@jerkyboy8897]

@@agirard8997 so much better there these days though

[@elijahsanchez4945]

No city is perfect. Madison also has it's up and down just like every city and town but I love Madison WI.

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Agreed, just covering the downsides on this one. Madison has a lot of upside too, lots of our other videos hit on those! Thanks for watching!

[@stephyg20]

I'm not gonna lie those are some rough cons, but you guys are great!

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@dr.dylan123]

Surprised you guys didn't mention the homeless zombie apocalypse. State street is horrendous

[@JonasMoore-b6v]

Tell me about it , the homeless people there are horrible, entitled , dangerous and aggressive and will most likely be hostile towards you for not giving them money or not allowing them to use your cell phone , the government there really needs to criminalize panhandling and make more arrests , cause it's basically a zoo on state street

[@pedroV2003]

Moved here in 1997 and found it to be an excellent place to raise our children. Good schools, relatively safe. Lots of sports and other activities for the kids. Generally speaking we found Madisonians easy going and accepting folks. We made friends pretty easily and so did our kids. Its funny that you mention the hot and humid summers but I gotta say that they first 10-15 years or so we hardly ever had to use our A/C. Coming from Florida (where the weather is miserable 9 months out of 12) we couldn't understand why anyone would look forward to summer but in those first 10-15 summers the temps were pretty mild. However since then the temps during the summers have risen and its been pretty uncomfortable. Personally, I'd love to skip summer altogether and go from Spring to Fall.

[@LWRC]

Wow - property tax is over 2% of assessed value!!! That is indeed very very high! Here in Orange County CA, we're at 1% but because the properties are much much more expensive, the taxes are also higher!

[@nylonpython]

Some of these aren't really that true. I've never really had a problem navigating, you can usually either see the Capital or one of the lakes which makes it pretty easy to know where you are. The winter here isn't crushing and it warms up when it snows. And the only parts of Madison that are Politically Charged are the student heavy neighborhoods like Downtown and Willy Street. If you buy a home here you'll probably be in a regular neighborhood for people that actually live here. I'd say the actual cons are: We don't really have a "Bad side of town". The bad neighborhoods are all over the place and if you're not from here you might move to one by accident. We're in a constant state of construction so there always random streets and exits closed. You need to learn a couple ways home. The Salt on the roads during the winter will eat the underside of your car.

[@SamsungS23Ultr]

Mind telling me some of the best and worst neighborhoods?

[@patrickturner4581]

The political climate, housing costs, weather, pampered UW students at the expense of tax paying Madisonian, are some the cons of living in Madison.

[@jamesleverentz6294]

You haven’t seen a dark winter until you’ve spent one in British Columbia, where I now live. When it isn’t snowing it’s raining. For 5 straight months. Give me WI. ❤

[@EngMadison]

I would actually say water quality of the lakes is a bugger downside than a few you listed. Theres always a blue algae alert during the summer.

[@jj-bv3ui]

Not being 'into politics' is a huge red flag of privilege. It's an out of touch town in that social norms and trends are a decade behind, but there are also earnest progressives. They sadly neglected to mention how racist the state is and how much racists get away with on a regular basis even in the capital city.

[@SamsungS23Ultr]

Shut up, good heavens, if you aren't comfortable with the political climate you probably aren't going to be happy with the social climate. Wouldt recommend that conservatives move to Madison, just like how I wouldn't recommend democrats move to rural texas.

[@skippythealien9627]

not sure if i agree that being uninterested in politics is a "huge red flag of privilege." My parents are both immigrants who came from a country that had exhausting political upheaval in the 70s and 80s. They moved to the U.S. because they simply wanted jobs without all the bullshit in their homelands. I wouldn't say they grew up "privileged," it's just extremely exhausting and frustrating when you can't live your life because there's a lot of political disagreements taking place if anything, it's pretty privileged to assume that everyone who is not active in politics...is acting out of bad faith

[@kevenquinlan]

Yes, and that's really the appeal of Madison- is you don't have to live in a sea of violent, inconsiderate black people.

[@joejoe6952]

Your last name is Marks and you live in Madison. Get it? 😂🤣 Nice video!

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Thanks for watching Joe Joe, actually I'm not sure I do get it, could you explain?

[@joejoe6952]

@@livinginmadisonwi Marks=Marx. I used to live in Madison from 99-03. I miss the Kohl Center, the Dise', and my friends from the era. Do you remember University Square? Last time I was in Madison was 2019 after a 15 year absence. Man, how things changed. Still a beautiful city.

[@cbsteffen]

When I was growing up, I normally felt as if others gave me a hard time about Madison, WI. That’s why I hate it!

[@mohamadhashim9915]

good story covering various aspects of life

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Thanks!

[@michaelwalters7333]

Thanks for the Video

[@livinginmadisonwi]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@rupertfergusson]

I can tell you living in North Central Europe. We have no snow cover and three hours less of daylight here in Warsaw. I’ll take a snow covered freezing winter over the humid, dark fug that we have.

[@yisongyang5164]

Is there any racial discriminations there? because its so close to milwaukee, and i cant even find info about discrimination problems there, is that true no racial problems there\

[@501764727]

Madison in comparison to not only bigger cities but to comparable college towns of similar sizes: it is very clean and safe. So those higher prices also keep out a lot of garbage as well. As soon as you start lowering prices, the old saying goes- there goes the neighborhood.

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Agreed Madison is ver desirable compared to many larger cities. Same amenities without the big city feel.

[@peteroberts6771]

They forgot to mention the elitist wanna be's and racist...

[@ShannonHarper]

Safe?! Haha

[@hebagouda7212]

@@ShannonHarper pls can you elaborate..is it safe for international students? Thx

[@SamsungS23Ultr]

@@hebagouda7212 Yes, it's quite safe for a large town/small city

[@rubenrao9994]

Nice video good job

[@rubenrao9994]

But some of the content was repeated from the previous video. But it’s ok for a separate video on cons.

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Correct, we wanted a shorter version in case people were just looking for the cons. Thanks so much for watching, where are you living currently Roger?

[@rubenrao9994]

@@livinginmadisonwi true the shorter version will definitely save time. I live in Mumbai, MH.

[@rkvclaw21]

Been watching you guys all week, I'm moving up there next week, have actually been wanting to contact you guys cause I have some questions on a few things there

[@skippythealien9627]

I've lived in Madison for about a decade and it's largely okay, but I could not agree more with Con #5. Talking politics here gets exhausting. My co-workers always talk about liberal politics, and even though I'm mostly left-leaning...the stuff gets so tiresome especially since i'm not super interested in politics

[@mcdonaldsmanager]

Housing is pretty expensive for the wages you get paid and to many homeless bums moving in on State Street harassing folks.

[@joestephani7959]

You forgot crime. Crime that didn’t exist 10 years ago.

[@jerkyboy8897]

What are you talking about?! Lol crime has been in Madison since I was a teenager growing up there (in the 80's) Just avoid certain areas at certain times and you'll be fine. So many people are scared of their own shadows.

[@joestephani7959]

@@jerkyboy8897 I don’t remember hearing about so many shootings or at least gun fire. That has increased in the past two years.

[@lonewanderer420]

@@jerkyboy8897 shootings are up 100% from last year

[@joestephani7959]

@Colitisscope yeah. And they didn’t mention it on the video

[@jerkyboy8897]

@@joestephani7959 you must not be from here then. Simpson Street, sommerset circle, darbo drive........ Been going on for years.

[@richards1191]

Too many people, traffic, crime.

[@EngMadison]

Madison doesn't really have bad traffic.

[@richards1191]

@@EngMadison it's horrible. I would rather drive Milwaukee

[@EngMadison]

When and where do you drive?

[@dr.dylan123]

Before living in Madison I thought it was cool to learn that it's one of the only cities built on an isthmus. But after living there you start to learn why no one else builds a city on an isthmus because the traffic.

[@funes4355]

the city was planned before cars were a thing, it was never meant to be a car centric city

[@dr.dylan123]

@@funes4355 yeah its a horrendous city for transportation for it's small size

[@funes4355]

@@dr.dylan123 if you mean car transportation yes it's horrible, but for any mode of transportation like buses, bikes, and if they ever decide to create a subway it is perfect

[@dr.dylan123]

@@funes4355 dude cmon you know they'll never build a subway

[@funes4355]

@@dr.dylan123 that's why i said it would be perfect if they ever built a subway because it's planned correctly

[@LWRC]

So has Madison / Wi turn conservative or is it still liberal??!!!

[@Spiky989]

Still liberal and will always be

[@Spiky989]

Thank God I moved to Florida

[@ModernMoros]

I’m trying to move OUT of Florida 😂 I want somewhere more northern, but every single place I look up all you see is “unsafe, homeless, refugees, high rent”. I just want a nice city with 4 seasons

[@Spiky989]

@@ModernMoros I don't mind Madison. I lived there for the past 10 years, it had good and bad parts of town. I lived on the west side, near West Town Mall, and it wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either. There's much worse parts of Madison, like the east side

[@UedaShiro]

I have been in Wisconsin to visit my dad in jail!^•^ but it is horrible in Wisconsin there are so many shootings there! I also miss going there too bc my dad is there and another person that I love is there! But living in Wisconsin isn’t really good bc Wisconsin has many shootings and deaths, and yes Wisconsin is really cold over the winter!and it snows too! But yes this is just my opinion living in Wisconsin!

[@kevenquinlan]

Well, not sure I would consider most of that cons- not to mention ALL of them get Trumped from the fact you can go to any convivence store a pick up a 4 pack of Hammie's pint's for just over 4 bucks. I plan on moving there and living in a shelter. Also- there isn't a bunch of black people. I'm swim through a sea of them Everday in Mpls and I'm just over it. The drug use is insane, they hang out on every tram stop in the cities in large reckless groups and - they're just awful to be around.

[@franle102]

Rent is expensive! Some of the housing is not all that good for the price. The apartments can be 20 years old they want $1000 for old outdated appliances. Lack of diversity. Hardly no African American presence. Food restaurants are not good. Downtown area is college town. I don’t see how this place managed to make it as the 16th best place to live. They have good jobs such as county jobs. I have to say if your white you probably will think Madison is heaven.

[@davidcatbus8828]

Fitchburg Wisconsin have the second lowest rent in the state of old Wisconsin how was Apple in the area is $855 for a one-bedroom $1,300 for three-bedroom would like to know and get your information straight now

[@davidcatbus8828]

How old school shootings are going for two Howard students are to blame for this to hear some landlords have no problem raising the rent

[@jerkyboy8897]

What?!

[@Gregatseasonalsteins]

You should try drugs.

[@1lionmurrill]

Very superficial video. Then I realized they are real estate agents.

[@davidcatbus8828]

If you live in the suburbs of Madison $1,000 to $2,000 a year

[@livinginmadisonwi]

True, there are lots of different options so it is quite a range!

[@EngMadison]

Plus the cost of needing a car and additional transportation costs if you live outside a biking or transit distance.

[@ajmack_11]

Nobody in their right mind would live in Dane County. Much cheaper and nicer options in surrounding counties. The commute isn't awful living off of I-90/39.

[@livinginmadisonwi]

There are some great options outside the city to help save some cash for sure. Yes, commuting in from surrounding cities is a great option.

[@pjmendoza8871]

Taxes

[@stevengtv]

#1 con: Mayor CONway

[@joestephani7959]

I’m really glad you mentioned politics! It’s horrible

[@ritasenergyherbs3650]

It IS! So glad I live west of, but the corruption of the politicians in Madison is awful.

[@YuijroHanma]

The isthmus is easy as shit lmao 🤣

[@bea29able]

Can’t stand all the snowflakes who can’t even change a tire.

[@davidcatbus8828]

For Madison one-bedroom is under $800 I don't know where you get your facts

[@racontoor]

Don’t have time for this. Does it mention how boring the people are or are the presenters just living examples?

[@livinginmadisonwi]

Thanks! We’ll make sure to add that to our next lullaby video!!

[@racontoor]

An example of Madison clever

[@jahblazebillymays]

hater

[@JonasMoore-b6v]

Why didn't you mention anything about , drugs , crime , homelessness and alcoholic debauchery? and the mental health crisis going on there? I'd say that's worse then anything you mentioned in this video

[@PrivateEyeYiYi]

I’m moving to Madison in a few months. As long as there aren’t tent encampments on the sidewalk I think I’ll survive.

[@JonasMoore-b6v]

@@PrivateEyeYiYi Okay you're in for a bad surprise , don't say I didn't try to warn you,. good luck

[@JonasMoore-b6v]

@@PrivateEyeYiYi You might regret your decision to move there , I know I did after putting up with all the rotten shit that goes down in Madison for 15 years, It's not safe

[@PrivateEyeYiYi]

@@JonasMoore-b6v I’ve lived in LA. It’s much worse there.

[@mitchellbliss3828]

the accent is a bit of a con,. all though i only recognize it in some people. she doesn't have it at all, just him,,, lol...